US20170231599A1 - Concurrent acquisition of harmonic and fundamental images for screening applications - Google Patents

Concurrent acquisition of harmonic and fundamental images for screening applications Download PDF

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US20170231599A1
US20170231599A1 US15/504,408 US201515504408A US2017231599A1 US 20170231599 A1 US20170231599 A1 US 20170231599A1 US 201515504408 A US201515504408 A US 201515504408A US 2017231599 A1 US2017231599 A1 US 2017231599A1
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modes
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review
imaging
acquisition
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James Robertson Jago
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Koninklijke Philips NV
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Definitions

  • This disclosure relates to medical instruments and more particularly to diagnostic ultrasound where different imaging modes (e.g., fundamental and harmonic images) are acquired during a single screening acquisition, so that any mode can later be selectively reviewed.
  • imaging modes e.g., fundamental and harmonic images
  • Breast density is one of the strongest predictors of a failure of mammography to detect cancer and is also a well-established predictor of breast cancer risk.
  • a basic concept of breast ultrasound screening is that an operator, who may or may not be skilled in interpreting ultrasound images, acquires ultrasound images covering all of the breast tissue as efficiently as possible.
  • the acquisition may be performed free-hand or free-hand with electromagnetic (EM) tracking.
  • EM electromagnetic
  • the acquisition may also be semi-automated or fully automated. In all of these cases, the reading and interpretation of these images is performed very efficiently off-line by a radiologist.
  • the radiologist reviews a complete set of images on a workstation and may also review images that are rendered from the images collected, such as “C” plane images.
  • a method for providing multiple review modes in a single acquisition scan includes acquiring image frames for a plurality of imaging modes by switching image acquisition modes in real-time during a single acquisition sequence.
  • the image frames are stored in non-transitory memory for each acquisition mode for subsequent review.
  • a display selectively generated for each of the plurality of imaging modes from stored images for a selected imaging mode such that each of the plurality of image modes is available for review from the single acquisition sequence.
  • Another method for providing multiple review modes in a single acquisition scan includes selecting a relative frame rate for each of a plurality of imaging modes in a single acquisition sequence; acquiring image frames for the plurality of imaging modes by switching image acquisition modes during the single acquisition sequence; displaying a single imaging mode during the single acquisition; storing the image frames in non-transitory memory for each acquisition mode for subsequent review; and during review, generating a display for each of the plurality of imaging modes from stored images as selected by a user such that each of the plurality of image modes is available for review from the single acquisition sequence.
  • Another method for providing multiple review modes in a single acquisition scan includes acquiring image frames, which include raw data for generating a plurality of imaging modes, during a single acquisition sequence; storing the image frames in non-transitory memory for subsequent review; and, during review, generating a display for each of the plurality of imaging modes from stored images as selected by a user such that each of the plurality of image modes is generated by post-processing the raw data from the single acquisition sequence.
  • a system for providing multiple review modes in a single acquisition scan includes an ultrasound imaging device configured to acquire image frames for a plurality of imaging modes by automated switching of image acquisition modes during a single acquisition sequence. Alternately or in combination, raw data collected by the ultrasound imaging device and post-processed to generate a plurality of imaging modes from the raw data.
  • a memory device is configured to store the image frames in non-transitory memory for each acquisition mode for subsequent review.
  • a review workstation has a display for viewing one of the plurality of imaging modes from stored images for a selected imaging mode such that each of the plurality of imaging modes is available for review from the single acquisition sequence.
  • FIG. 1 is a block/flow diagram showing an ultrasonic system configured to collect multiple imaging modes in a single acquisition sequence in accordance with one embodiment
  • FIG. 2A is a diagram showing an alternating mode pattern for acquiring images for two imaging modes in accordance with one embodiment
  • FIG. 2B is a diagram showing an alternating mode pattern for acquiring images where images are taken with a set number of sequential frames for one or more imaging modes in accordance with other embodiments;
  • FIG. 3 is a block/flow diagram showing a review workstation for reviewing stored ultrasonic images from a single acquisition sequence in accordance with one embodiment
  • FIG. 4 is a block/flow diagram showing methods for providing multiple review modes in a single acquisition scan in accordance with illustrative embodiments.
  • ultrasound screening methods and systems are provided where ultrasound data acquired during a single scan can be employed for generating multiple imaging modes, e.g., fundamental imaging, harmonic imaging, color imaging, color power angioplasty imaging, elastography imaging, etc.
  • imaging modes e.g., fundamental imaging, harmonic imaging, color imaging, color power angioplasty imaging, elastography imaging, etc.
  • Conventional scan and review processes often employ an automated scanning of tissue where the scan mode is typically for a single imaging mode.
  • a single scan sequentially provides frames for a plurality of different imaging modes. The frames are stored and can be employed later to generate a display for review for each of the plurality of imaging modes. In other words, as a result of a single scan, fundamental images, harmonic images, etc.
  • diagnostic ultrasound e.g., real-time scanning
  • diagnostic ultrasound it is common to use both fundamental and harmonic imaging to characterize a lesion, since each provides some unique information.
  • different imaging modes may be employed. However, for screening with stored ultrasound images, the mode was previously selected during the scan, and employing different imaging modes was not available for a reviewer.
  • a plurality of imaging modes are collected (e.g., fundamental and harmonic images) during screening acquisition, so that the clinician can look at either mode later in review. This may be achieved by collecting sufficiently raw data and applying software post-processing to generate the desired modes, or during acquisition, automatically switching between the modes for a set duration to acquire data for multiple modes.
  • the present invention will be described in terms of medical instruments; however, the teachings of the present invention are much broader and are applicable to any ultrasonic imaging system and method.
  • the present principles are employed in tracking or analyzing complex biological or mechanical systems.
  • the present principles are applicable to internal tracking procedures of biological systems, procedures in all areas of the body such as the breasts, lungs, gastro-intestinal tract, excretory organs, blood vessels, liver, etc.
  • the elements depicted in the FIGS. may be implemented in various combinations of hardware and software and provide functions which may be combined in a single element or multiple elements.
  • processor or “controller” should not be construed to refer exclusively to hardware capable of executing software, and can implicitly include, without limitation, digital signal processor (“DSP”) hardware, read-only memory (“ROM”) for storing software, random access memory (“RAM”), non-volatile storage, etc.
  • DSP digital signal processor
  • ROM read-only memory
  • RAM random access memory
  • non-volatile storage etc.
  • embodiments of the present invention can take the form of a computer program product accessible from a computer-usable or computer-readable storage medium providing program code for use by or in connection with a computer or any instruction execution system.
  • a computer-usable or computer readable storage medium can be any apparatus that may include, store, communicate, propagate, or transport the program for use by or in connection with the instruction execution system, apparatus, or device.
  • the medium can be an electronic, magnetic, optical, electromagnetic, infrared, or semiconductor system (or apparatus or device) or a propagation medium.
  • Examples of a computer-readable medium include a semiconductor or solid state memory, magnetic tape, a removable computer diskette, a random access memory (RAM), a read-only memory (ROM), a rigid magnetic disk and an optical disk.
  • Current examples of optical disks include compact disk-read only memory (CD-ROM), compact disk-read/write (CD-R/W), Blu-RayTM and DVD.
  • an ultrasound imaging system 10 constructed in accordance with the present principles is shown in block diagram form.
  • an ultrasound system 10 includes a probe 12 having a transducer or transducer array 14 for transmitting ultrasonic waves and receiving echo information.
  • transducer arrays are well known in the art, e.g., linear arrays, convex arrays or phased arrays.
  • the transducer array 14 can include a two dimensional array (as shown) of transducer elements capable of scanning in both elevation and azimuth dimensions for 2D and/or 3D imaging.
  • the transducer array 14 is coupled to a microbeamformer 16 in the probe 12 , which controls transmission and reception of signals by the transducer elements in the array.
  • the microbeamformer 16 is coupled by the probe cable to a transmit/receive (T/R) switch 18 , which switches between transmission and reception and protects a main beamformer 22 from high energy transmit signals.
  • T/R switch 18 and other elements in the system can be included in the transducer probe rather than in a separate ultrasound system base.
  • the transmission of ultrasonic beams from the transducer array 14 under control of the microbeamformer 16 is directed by a transmit controller 20 coupled to the T/R switch 18 and the beamformer 22 , which may receive input from the user's operation of a user interface or control panel 24 .
  • the transmit controller 20 automatically switches the imaging modes for one or more frames to concurrently acquire (receive) echoes/images in multiple imaging modes.
  • a user may adjust the relative frame rate between the imaging modes using the interface 24 , and, in particular, a frame rate control 48 .
  • Another function controlled by the transmit controller 20 is the direction in which beams are steered. Beams may be steered straight ahead from (orthogonal to) the transducer array, or at different angles for a wider field of view.
  • the partially beamformed signals produced by the microbeamformer 16 are coupled to a main beamformer 22 where partially beamformed signals from individual patches of transducer elements are combined into a fully beamformed signal.
  • the beamformed signals are coupled to a signal processor 26 .
  • the signal processor 26 can process the received echo signals in various ways, such as bandpass filtering, decimation, I and Q component separation, and harmonic signal separation.
  • the signal processor 26 may also perform additional signal enhancement such as speckle reduction, signal compounding, and noise elimination.
  • the processed signals are coupled to a B mode processor 28 , which can employ amplitude detection for the imaging of structures in the body.
  • the signals produced by the B mode processor are coupled to a scan converter 30 and a multiplanar reformatter 32 .
  • the scan converter 30 arranges the echo signals in the spatial relationship from which they were received in a desired image format.
  • the scan converter 30 may arrange the echo signal into a two dimensional (2D) sector-shaped format, or a pyramidal three dimensional (3D) image.
  • the multiplanar reformatter 32 can convert echoes which are received from points in a common plane in a volumetric region of the body into an ultrasonic image of that plane, as described in U.S. Pat. No. 6,443,896 (Detmer).
  • a volume renderer 34 converts the echo signals of a 3D data set into a projected 3D image as viewed from a given reference point, e.g., as described in U.S. Pat. No. 6,530,885 (Entrekin et al.).
  • the 2D or 3D images are coupled from the scan converter 30 , multiplanar reformatter 32 , and volume renderer 34 to an image processor 36 for further enhancement, buffering and temporary storage for display on an image display 38 .
  • a graphics processor 40 can generate graphic overlays for display with the ultrasound images. These graphic overlays or parameter blocks can contain, e.g., standard identifying information such as patient name, date and time of the image, imaging parameters, frame indices and the like. For these purposes, the graphics processor 40 receives input from the user interface 24 , such as a typed patient name.
  • the user interface 24 can also be coupled to the multiplanar reformatter 32 for selection and control of a display of multiple multiplanar reformatted (MPR) images.
  • MPR multiplanar reformatted
  • screening ultrasound data is acquired and stored in memory 42 in a format that allows an offline reader/reviewer to still be able to access multiple imaging modes, e.g., to help characterize a suspicious lesion, etc., but without significantly complicating or extending the workflow for either acquisition or review.
  • the ultrasound system 10 is programmed to acquire images that alternate between modes, e.g., fundamental, harmonic, etc. In one example, to make acquisition easier for the operator, only the fundamental (or harmonic) images are shown on the display 38 , the other images are acquired but not shown.
  • the memory 42 stores frames in memory structures or logically connects (e.g., points to or indexes) frames of a same mode.
  • This may include organizing frames of a stream by the use of indexing, multiplexing or other techniques to designate which frames are associated with each imaging mode.
  • the frames may be stored in separate data structures 44 , 46 for easy access when attempting to regenerate an image in a particular imaging mode.
  • the memory 42 is depicted as being placed after the scan converter 30 ; however, the memory 42 may store data at any position in the signal path.
  • the data stored may be sufficiently raw data that needs to be stored earlier in the signal path to permit the raw data to be available for rendering in multiple modes. In such a case, the switching between modes is not needed as the data will be stored to recreate these modes in post-processing to generate the desired modes during or for review.
  • the resolution of one mode may be adjusted using a frame rate control 48 .
  • the frame rate control 48 may be employed to adjust the number of frames for one mode versus the other modes.
  • the frame rate control 48 may be implemented in software, hardware or a combination of both. This will be further described with reference to FIGS. 2A and 2B .
  • FIGS. 2A and 2B diagrams illustratively show imaging mode frame collection.
  • FIG. 2A shows acquired frames 150 , which alternate between a first mode (mode A) and a second mode (mode B).
  • mode A and mode B may include fundamental and harmonic imaging modes.
  • the frame rate will be reduced by a factor of 2, but since ultrasound systems are now able to acquire images at high frame rates that accuracy/resolution is not compromised.
  • frame rate settings are preferably over 100 Hz.
  • the imaging mode streams may be separated and both streams of, e.g., fundamental and harmonic imaging may be stored and exported as separate but linked loops.
  • the linking may include the use of time stamps, frame numbers, indexes, etc.
  • the same workflow provides access to multiple imaging modes. These imaging modes are compiled at a later time (not necessarily during scanning), and the reviewer can select the imaging mode to display with minimal loss of accuracy and no time lost during the scanning process.
  • the screening process includes the review of the images at a separate time and/or location, e.g., at a workstation configured for reviewing.
  • FIG. 2B shows a more general frame collection scheme where one or multiple frames 160 are collected for each imaging mode.
  • a single mode A frame may be collected followed by N (an integer number) mode B frames, and then repeated.
  • N mode A frames may be taken followed by a single mode B frame and then repeated.
  • N mode A frames may be collected followed by N mode B frames, and then repeated.
  • a greater number of modes may be employed and different combinations of frame numbers may be employed.
  • the additional frame numbers for a particular imaging mode may be selected to increase resolution for that imaging mode relative the other imaging mode or modes. These adjustments in frame numbers may be selected for the scanning based on experience, desired results or other criteria.
  • Spatial compound imaging or spatial compounding is an ultrasound technique that uses electronic beam steering of a transducer array to rapidly acquire several (e.g., three to nine) overlapping scans of an object from different view angles. These single-angle scans are averaged to form a multiangle compound image that is updated with each subsequent scan.
  • Compound imaging shows improved image quality compared with conventional ultrasound, primarily because of reduction of speckle, clutter, and other acoustic artifacts, and provides improved contrast resolution and tissue differentiation, which are beneficial for imaging the breast, peripheral blood vessels, and musculoskeletal injuries.
  • Ultrasound data would be acquired in SonoCT (and if desired fundamental and harmonic modes), and the operator or scanner would see a SonoCT image, but the component frames and not the compounded frames would be stored in memory 42 (e.g., as a separate mode).
  • workstation software would perform the compounding step needed to generate a SonoCT image to present to the radiologist, or the radiologist could choose to view the non-SonoCT image (i.e., to asses lesion shadowing) in which case only the non-steered component image would be presented.
  • the post-processing of the image stream may be performed with or without the mode switching process step.
  • the switching mode data collection can be post-processed to switch compounding on or off.
  • the sufficiently raw data can be collected and be post-processed to switch compounding on or off.
  • System 100 may include a workstation or console 112 from which images are reviewed and modes selected.
  • Workstation 112 preferably includes one or more processors 114 and memory 116 for storing programs, applications and data.
  • Memory 116 may store an image rendering module 115 configured to collect and render image frames for the display of one or more imaging modes.
  • the image rendering module 115 is configured to receive image data and link or process image modes for display.
  • An image 134 can be generated from frames 140 stored in memory 116 and can be displayed on a display device 118 .
  • Workstation 112 includes the display 118 for reviewing internal images of a subject (e.g., a patient). Display 118 may also permit a user to interact with the workstation 112 and its components and functions, or any other element within the system 100 . This is further facilitated by an interface 120 which may include a keyboard, mouse, a joystick, a haptic device, or any other peripheral or control to permit user feedback from and interaction with the workstation 112 .
  • each imaging mode is acquired sequentially and so each mode can be fully optimized without compromise, for example, in terms of the acquisition design (e.g., line density, focal zones), signal and image processing, display parameters, etc.
  • the non-steered frame may be designated differently from the other component frames, since this non-steered frame will be visualized on its own without the benefit of compounding. That is, it may have a different line density, more focal zones, more frequency compounding, or a different display map.
  • the review and interpretation of the images may be performed either on the system 10 ( FIG. 1 ) or off the system on the workstation 100 .
  • review software of image rendering module 115 needs to be able to support the capability to correctly process the separate modes being presented. For fundamental versus harmonic imaging, this may only involve pulling images from the appropriate data stream and applying a suitable display map.
  • SonoCT versus non-SonoCT the review software of image rendering module 115 needs to be able to extract only the non-steered frames and apply appropriate display maps for non-SonoCT, or extract all the frames and apply a compounding algorithm to them, plus appropriate display mapping for SonoCT.
  • the acquisition may be obtained as a sufficiently raw data stream.
  • the acquisition is more efficient because all of the imaging acquired can be utilized to display in more than one mode (i.e., there are no alternating modes).
  • both the fundamental and harmonic images that are displayed in review may be extracted from the same acquisition and the same data.
  • the modes extracted from the data may be based on software operations rather than mode switching.
  • a single kind of data acquisition is stored which includes all mode components, and these are separated through additional processing by image rendering module 115 , such as, e.g., band-pass filtering of IQ data, applying different summation weights to radio frequency (RF) data acquired with opposite polarity transmit waveforms, etc.
  • image rendering module 115 such as, e.g., band-pass filtering of IQ data, applying different summation weights to radio frequency (RF) data acquired with opposite polarity transmit waveforms, etc.
  • the stored data is stored in a format that is sufficiently raw (i.e., minimally processed) so that the components of all modes (e.g., fundamental and harmonic) can be extracted with sufficient quality.
  • both the fundamental and harmonic images that are displayed in review may be extracted from the same acquisition. Only one kind of acquisition is defined and stored during scanning, which includes both fundamental and harmonic components (and other modes), and these are separated through additional processing at the workstation 112 .
  • the additional processing may be performed by the image rendering module 115 and may include functions such as image filtering, band-pass filtering of IQ data, applying different summation weights to RF data acquired with opposite polarity transmit waveforms, etc.
  • the present principles are particularly useful in medical procedures such as for breast screening or other screening procedures.
  • the present principles may also be applicable to any clinical application that involves the need for rapid acquisition with minimal interpretation during acquisition, followed by careful review and interpretation post-acquisition.
  • One example may include screening for liver cancer with ultrasound.
  • Target platforms for the present principles include any ultrasound systems and workstations designed for screening purposes.
  • a relative frame rate may be selected for each of the plurality of imaging modes in the acquisition sequence.
  • the frame rate may be programmed into the system (e.g., by controlling the transmitter) to toggle between different imaging modes for different consecutive durations to control the number of frames received for each imaging mode.
  • the relative frame rate between imaging modes may include an integer multiple of successive frames for at least one of the imaging modes in the acquisition sequence.
  • image frames are acquired. This may include acquiring image frames for a plurality of imaging modes by switching image acquisition modes during a single acquisition sequence.
  • the imaging frames may be acquired from at least two imaging modes (e.g., two) and the image acquisition modes are switched such that frames are acquired in an alternating manner for each of the two modes.
  • acquiring image frames includes acquiring data that is sufficiently raw to generate images in multiple modes by soft processing in block 205 . This means that the collected data includes sufficient information for generating each of the desired imaging modalities.
  • raw data is acquired for generating at least two imaging modes in block 207 .
  • the imaging modes may include ultrasonic imaging modes, and the ultrasonic imaging modes include one or more of fundamental, harmonic, compound fundamental, compound harmonic, color, color power angioplasty, elastography, etc.
  • the image frames may be acquired by scan and displayed to an operator in a single imaging mode during the single acquisition.
  • the image frames are stored in non-transitory memory for each acquisition mode for subsequent review.
  • the storage may include storing images of a particular mode together (in a separate device, memory partition etc.), logically linking the images of a particular mode, employing indexing of images and providing a lookup table, generating the mode images from sufficiently raw data, etc.
  • a display is selectively generated for each of the plurality of imaging modes from stored images for a selected imaging mode such that each of the plurality of image modes is available for review from the single acquisition sequence.
  • the generation of images may include post-processing of the sufficiently raw data, provide grouping of collected frames from a single imaging mode, etc.
  • a reviewer can switch between different imaging modes, e.g., fundamental, harmonic, compound fundamental, compound harmonic, etc. to obtain a more accurate result by employing the strength of each imaging mode. Since the desired imaging modes are all available, there is a significantly reduced need to rescan the patient in other imaging modes as in conventional workflows.
  • the plurality of imaging modes may include multiple imaging modes for discovering different diagnostic information employed for identifying a lesion in an organ, or other applications. Such applications may include breast cancer screening, liver cancer screening, etc.
  • enabling/disabling compounding using the stored images may be performed using software functions.
  • Other image processing functions may also be performed using software functions, e.g., filtering, contrast enhancement, generating modes from raw data, etc.

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